I threw in the towel on electric conversions years ago when I went for a
ride in a vw karman ghia that a guy converted. Pretty cool with 40 hp
electric motor. It was like driving an electric golf cart with a 4 speed. He
showed me the angle iron racks he had to install for all of the batteries
which took up the entire trunk and back seat of the ghia.

The deal breaker for me was when he told me that 1000 pounds of fully
charged lead acid batteries equals approximately one gallon of gasoline.

That pretty much did it for me. This ratio still holds true.

With fuel at nearly 2 bucks a gallon.........why?

Doug
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Wilford" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 10:58 AM
Subject: Re: Electric power vanagon

> Robert,
> It has been done but because of the weight and shape of the Vanagon it
> is not optimal for an electric conversion with the current battery
> technology.  Now if batteries could only get much lighter, hold a charge
> longer, and not be so toxic we would all be in electric conversion
heaven:-)
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
> Robert C wrote:
> > Hello Vanagon Family;
> >    Has any one tried to convert a Vanagon to electric motor
> >  and how efficient it is? is this conversion High maintenance?
> > I have seen several electric 914 witch has a similar transmission.
> >    What are your thoughts on this subject?
> >     Robert Campos
> > _________________________________________________________________
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> >